What have been some of your most memorable moments over the last four years at WHSAD?
I’ve made many memories here at WHSAD that I will never forget. I’ve worked on many projects in collaboration with various community partners and my peers, such as a habitat analysis with Freshkills Park and a rooftop analysis with Newtown Creek, which have all taught me so much. I was even given the opportunity to lead my own project in which I designed a plaza space with students from MS 577. I’ll never forget all that I’ve learned from Mr. Rodriguez and Codio, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’ve spent countless hours here at WHSAD after school and on weekends working on projects with my peers, constantly cracking jokes and pestering Codio. The people here are truly amazing, and I’ll never forget all the time I’ve spent here.
What are your plans for life after high school? Why do you feel this is the best option for your at this time?
After high school, I’ll be attending Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering to prepare me for a career as a robotics engineer. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with robots and animatronics, dreaming of one day immersing myself in the field of robotics. As I entered high school, I already knew what I wanted to do in the future. Talking with Mr. Rodriguez helped solidify this decision for me, and I began researching engineering schools to attend. Then, I stumbled upon Olin. I was a little intimidated at first by the curriculum and environment since it’s vastly different from a traditional school. However, Candidate’s Weekend opened my eyes to how amazing Olin is and how many opportunities await me there. When I received my acceptance letter, I was ecstatic. I literally committed to the school the next day. I know Olin is the best fit for me and will grant me so many opportunities I could never gain anywhere else. I’m looking forward to beginning my journey to becoming an engineer.
What are some words of advice you would give to younger students?
Some advice I have for younger students is always get involved. There are so many opportunities here at WHSAD. We have partnerships with numerous community partners, so many different clubs after school, and even paid internships. Regardless of if you want to pursue architecture or not, there’s something for everyone at WHSAD, so always inquire about what’s offered here because you never know what doors will open for you. Always try make the most of your time here and try new things!
Where do you want to see yourself five, ten, and thirty years from now?
Years from now, I hope to see myself working at an innovative robotics company. Whether I’m making animatronics or groundbreaking prosthetics, I want to push the limits of what can be done through robotics. I don’t know where I’ll be living, but I hope to eventually own a house and various cars. Hopefully, I’ll meet someone to spend the rest of my life with along the way. I believe I’ll be extremely successful in my field and leave a lasting impact on the world.
Who has been one person you’d like to thank for support, encouragement, love, etc.?
One person I’d like to thank would be Mr. Rodriguez. Before I met him, I was never involved with the school and was convinced I’d never like attending WHSAD. However, once I entered his class, everything changed. He showed me that WHSAD wasn’t just for students who wanted to become architects. Thanks to him, I was able to work on many projects with the school and became very well known for my work. He always pushed me to do my best and was there for me no matter what. Even when I no longer had his class, I still worked closely with Mr. Rodriguez and viewed him as a mentor. I remember being so excited to tell him about Olin since he was always so insistent about me pursuing robotics. I’ll never forget all he’s done for me and hope I have the opportunity to come visit when I’m out of high school.